Inter-individual variability in aroma release during sweet mint consumption

Inter-individual variations of in vivo aroma release kinetics have been observed widely in the literature. However, the corresponding causes are yet to be clearly identified. For this purpose, 68 subjects in whom salivary flow rates (at rest and Parafilm (TM)-stimulated) had been determined were recruited for the study. The release of menthone was measured using atmospheric pressure ionisationmass spectrometry during the consumption of a sweet mint tablet. The subjects complied with an imposed protocol of oral movements. Inter-individual variability was investigated through a qualitative analysis of the oral movements inducing menthone release, and through quantitative analysis. Swallowing events were the main contributors to menthone release. Tongue and jaw movements did not induce menthone release in all the subjects, thus explaining inter-individual differences in menthone release curve profiles. Inter-individual differences in term of the quantity of menthone released partly arose from the percentage of sweet mint tablet degradation. The greater the degree of degradation, the more menthone was released. Although protein concentrations in the saliva gave a first indication of differences in mint tablet degradation between subjects, other factors such as the content of specific proteins, and particularly enzymes, still need to be explored. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.